The stigma of community college

Higher education has hit a breaking point in the United States. Degrees have lost their luster, funding has been cut off, students take on generational debt to attend universities and no one can find a job after graduation. 

Community College has always been seen as the “little brother” to universities. Senior year of high school when you’re making decisions about your next steps you’ll often be hit with a shocked response if you select a community college. “You’re going to a community college? Why? Do you really think that’s the best choice for you?” 

It’s even worse if you decide to attend higher education later in life. “There’s no point at this stage. You may as well just get a job and stick at that.” 

Part of the stigma is the idea that these institutions are “last chances”. The term is popularized mostly due to Netflix’s “Last Chance U.” The show focused around athletes that transferred from division one schools to these junior colleges. Typically the athletes transfer for a multitude of reasons: from academic issues to behavioral issues. 

The colleges showcased on the show were rundown, in the middle of nowhere and seemed to have prioritized athletics over academics.  

As a staff, we have to ask: Why? What have other community colleges done to earn the reputation of being lesser than universities? 

In a recent Gallup poll, Americans surveyed expressed greater confidence in two-year schools over four-year universities. 15 percent of those surveyed expressed a great deal of confidence in two-years, while only 11 percent expressed a great deal in four-years. 

The poll also found that there was a stark difference between two-year and four-year institutions providing an education worth the cost. Two year institutions had more than 50 percent of respondents stating they had a great deal of confidence or quite a lot of confidence that they provided an education worth the cost. Four year institutions received less than 20 percent confidence. 

If the nation is viewing this level of education as being more valuable than a four year university, why are we continuing to stigmatise attending them? 

Not only can you see the value it brings, but it also teaches you the skills you need to succeed in life, without setting you down a path of never recovering. You get the chance to learn the work ethic, sharpen the skills that you’re weak on and get the opportunity to learn from those that have had the chance to work in your field of study.

If you were to attend a four-year school, you wouldn’t have these opportunities. Professors at four-years have far more students, and often don’t get that one on one time professors at two-years. The wisdom they learned can only be shared in the classroom.

Maybe we’re offended at the idea that community colleges are shunned. It’s possible that we’re ignorant to what happens at four-year institutions. Maybe we just don’t understand that this is how certain places are looked at in life.

But overall? The stigma is flat out wrong.